Roku 3 Raises the Bar for Set-Top Streamers

All the streaming video. Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired

Roku today introduced the new Roku 3 set-top box, and it promises to be the best streamer on the market.

Your move, Apple.

In a world where content is king, the Roku 3 has access to more than 750 channels, including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and HBO Go. It will play games like Angry Birds in Space, which comes pre-installed. And it ships with a remote control that features a headphone jack that wirelessly streams audio from the box. You can consume all that content without disturbing your friends or family, or block out their inane gabbing with an episode of House of Cards.

Get to your favorite channels quicker. Photo: RokuWhile the “shut up I’m watching my stories” feature is nice, the box also ships with a brand new UI that during our demo of an early device was swift and a huge improvement over the current Roku UI. A more powerful processor probably has something to do with that smooth UI.

Roku wouldn’t comment on future products or channels, but the 3’s faster processor could mean the little streamer finally gets an official YouTube channel soon. According to Roku, a YouTube channel would tax the previous hardware and create a disappointing experience.

“Roku 3 introduces thoughtful new features that will be useful to many customers,” Anthony Wood, founder and CEO, Roku said in a statement. “The intuitive new interface makes it easy to find favorite movies and shows quickly while the private listening mode is perfect for late-night streamers who don’t want to wake up the family.”

Those of you with a Roku 2 XS need not worry. The new UI will be available to current generation Roku devices in April.

The Roku 3 should light a fire under Apple, which has been slow to add channels to its Apple TV streamer. While Roku has opened its device to developers, Apple has allowed only a few streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Plus and Vimeo on its box. The omission of HBO Go and Amazon Instant Prime are curious, given that HBO has said it wants to be on Apple TV. HBO’s Eric Kessler told the Dive Into Media audience, “We will get on Apple TV, as we’ve said all along.”

Sounds great, but when?

Meanwhile, Roku has the top tier streaming services like HBO Go, plus hundreds more from other networks, audio streaming services like Pandora and Spotify, and even games like the pre-installed Angry Birds in Space. This makes the Roku the leader in the cord-cutting device game. To make sure all those channels work on your TV, the new box features 1080p video, HDMI, dual-band wireless, Ethernet and USB ports, and a microSD slot for additional app storage.